Introductory Psychology
Department of Psychology
Brains and nerves are strange things, but they are the biological basis for our thoughts and behaviors - so it behooves us to study and >understand them
This module will help introduce the many physiological and anatomical processes that are associated with what we do, think, and feel
A signal from the neuron is created by a membrane potential resulting from a change in concentration of charged particles across the semi-permeable membrane
At a baseline, the neuron holds a resting potential where there is an imbalance of charged particles on one side of the membrane, so that the neuron remains “ready” to fire
The peripheral nervous system has bundles of axons called nerves which ensure signals from our body are carried to the spine and brain for messaging
Within the PNS there are two furtherdivisions:
The somatic nervous system will contain efferent neurons that are exiting from the CNS to deliver messages to PNS, to do things like move muscles.
The autonomic nervous system has two divisions in it as well, the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems
The spinal cord is the highway and relay station that receives signals from the PNS, but also transmit signals from the brain to the PNS
It also has it’s own built-in system of reflexes, which can act without input from the brain
The forebrain is the physically largest part of the brain, visible on the top, front, and most of the side of the brain, and covers the more inner portions
The following sections will cover the individual components of the forebrain
Underneath the forebrain are the subcortical structures that also serve important roles in cognition
The thalamus handle routing information about senses (except smell) to the correct areas of the cortex for further processing
The limbic system is made up of several different components, all related to emotion and memory.
The pituitary gland serves as the oversight to all the hormone creation occurring in the other endocrine system glands, working on instructions from the hypothalamus
The thyroid gland plays an important role in regulating growth, metabolism, and appetite
The adrenal glands appropriately produces epinephrine and norepinephrine, to control our adrenaline levels
The pancreas is responsible for regulation of blood sugar and insulin throughout the body
The gonads are sex-specific, and create hormones appropriate to the sexual function of the gametes that are produced in one’s body
While it may feel somewhat removed from what we talk about in future modules, it is important to understand that our genetics, anatomy, and physiology play a crucial role in our behaviors and cognition
The Biopsychology perspective is one that is often integrated closely with neuroscience, chemistry, and biology; as you take classes in these other domains, you’ll likely see overlap between what we talked about and those other disciplines
Try not to get too weighed down in the biological and chemical terminology when studying this module - primarily know what sorts of cognition, processing, and behaviors are associated with which structures
Module 3 Lecture - Biopsychology || Introductory Psychology